Monday Memo
Week 11 | October 25-29 2021
Letter from the administration
Many times we are not really sure what caused the meltdown. We may try to ask our child but they just cry harder or throw themselves on the floor and we stand there thinking “AHHHH, I have to get them to stop. All of these people are just staring at me.” So we try to reason with them. Reasoning doesn’t work. We try making promises that we probably cannot keep. When that doesn’t work we start taking things away. And many times they are the things that help to keep us sane so we can get something done at home. This just becomes a recipe for another meltdown.
Next time this happens try this. First, acknowledge what you think they are feeling. “I can see you are frustrated because you can’t have candy before dinner. Let’s try to do some deep breathing. This can help us calm down.” This sounds funny but it is a very powerful practice that helps calm the nervous system and allow the meltdown to stop.
I have been in the younger grades and many of them know how to do this. Let me teach you the words to say. Remember that we want to inhale through our nose and exhale through our mouths. Use the words “let’s pretend we have a birthday cake in front of us. Imagine what flavor it is and what it looks like. “ Now smell the birthday cake and hold that delicious smell in your nose for 3-4 seconds. Now blow out the birthday candles.” See how long you can blow out your breath to make sure you can blow all of the candles out. Try to do this about 5 times. You should be able to see a difference in their behavior. If they resist, keep doing it.
Not only will this help you keep your cool, they are learning emotional regulation from you.
One other tool you can try is giving them a hug. Hold the hug for at least 20 seconds. This helps release oxytocin, a hormone that relaxes us and lowers anxiety. It reduces stress and increases happiness.
This will not eliminate tantrums but it can help with the parent child relationship and decrease the length of time a tantrum may take.
Happy Halloween!
Stacie Short
School Councilor 
Test to Stay Program
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Kentucky Public Health and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, along with the Louisville Metro Health Department, have provided guidance on optional modified quarantine strategy for managing COVID-19 exposures in the school setting.
This Test to Stay program will be implemented at St. Albert the Great beginning Monday, October 18th. The purpose of this letter is to outline considerations for the Test to Stay modified quarantine which allows unvaccinated students who are exposed to COVID-19 at school to continue with in-person instruction with repeated negative COVID-19 testing. It is important to note that the CDC and KDPH guidelines emphasize the implementation of layered prevention strategies, as well as isolation of persons who test positive for COVID-19 and quarantine of unvaccinated contacts to protect students, teachers and staff.
Participation in the Test to Stay program requires a signed waiver from the parent/guardian as well as an agreement to support all of the requirements and protocols as outlined in the attached document. This signed waiver will remain on file and cover your child the entire school year. This testing program is only available to students who have been identified as direct contacts in the school setting.
Our goal is that we will be able to keep all students safe and healthy while minimizing the number of students who have to quarantine due to exposure, thus maximizing the continuation of in-person instruction for our students. In collaboration with the Office of Catholic Schools and our local health department, we will consistently monitor and assess the effectiveness of this program.
Sincerely,
Ellen Martin
PrincipalDebbie Abbott
Assistant PrincipalLindsay Finley
Technology Coach
--- Around the school ---
covid protocol:
Parents of a vaccinated student may send a copy of their child's vaccination card to tpark@stalbert.org or to the school office to the attention of Tatum Park. If your vaccinated child is exposed to a positive case, you will still be contacted if they are within the 3-foot radius of the positive case. Vaccinated students do not need to quarantine. This is optional but would greatly help us in speeding up the process dealing with exposures and quarantining. Thank you!
New Year, New Protocols!
Click the button to the left to view our 2021-2022 COVID Protocols on what to do upon exposure or a confirmed positive test.
Click on the button to the left to fill out the 'Test to Stay' Permission Waiver
--- From our pto ---
Santa's Secret Shop
Santa Secret Shop is back, so tell your kids to start earning some Christmas money! Santa Secret Shop is an opportunity for the kids to pick out presents for their loved ones. All gifts are reasonably priced.
The shop will be Nov. 30-Dec. 2. We will need parent volunteers as well.
The volunteer sign up link will be in the next Monday Memo.
Trunk-or-treat
Oct. 30 6-8:30 p.m.
Free event sponsored by PTO! Pizza and drinks will be provided.
Volunteers are needed Oct. 30 to help set up before Trunk-or-Treat and to work the carnival games and food tables during the event, which is 6-8:30 p.m. Student volunteers will tear down afterward. Please sign up at the link below. Thank you!
If you have questions, contact:
Angela Augustine
angjaug@aol.com
502-299-9621
Box Tops - Easier than ever
Box Tops are a simple way to make money for our school! All you have to do is scan your receipt.
Thank you to all who have sent receipts. Please continue sending to Angela Augustine or Rachel Hubbard. Each Box Top is worth a dime. Those dimes turn into dollars, which turn into great things for our students!
If scanning receipts isn’t your thing, send them to school in an envelope labeled for Angela Augustine or Rachel Hubbard, and we’ll do it for you. Receipts are only good for two weeks after purchase, so don’t delay!
8th Grade Poinsettia sale
The season of giving is right around the corner. Are you looking for a gift for your neighbor, teacher, co-worker, boss, family member, or friend? Our 8th Grade Poinsettia Fundraiser is the perfect opportunity!
We are asking for your help to sell and/or buy poinsettias to support our 8th graders fundraise for their class trip in April.
An order form is coming home in the Tuesday folders and there is also an online option to order: https://store.stalbert.org/
Thank you!!
--- From Our Sports Ministry ---
SAAM Trivia night
Gate and Concessions Workers needed
All families who have a child participating in fall sports must work one concession stand shift during the season. If you have not worked or paid the opt out fee, please select a time during the CSAA Volleyball Tournament.
Winter Sports Sign up
These sports will be offered and will close on Monday, November 1.
● Basketball (JK-K Co-ed)
● Basketball (Grades 1-2)
Attention: JK-2 basketball will not start games until January. Grades 1-2 will start practices in December.
SAAM encourages you to pay the opt out concession fee ($25) during checkout to avoid working the gate and concession stand this season.
Click below to sign up...
https://gameday.loucsaa.net/login
To register:
1.On home page you should see the sport choices at the top of page.
2. Click add to cart.
3. Click on Cart.
4. Click drop down box that says add player and choose your child's name you are registering
5. Click complete.
6. Will see receipt.
Want to join the fun and be a coach this season?
Click below and fill out the Google form...
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYOCqcW8sv7nZO8d7xA5RcWL8spFifvpBQbn1vFMAAc9FEDw/viewform
Important Basketball information
Please click below to view important information on Basketball Evaluation Scheduling
--- After school ---
Homework Club, Grades 6-8
St. Albert the Great is pleased to announce an after school program, Homework Club, developed for students currently in grades 6-8 who are challenged by completing their homework in a timely manner, need additional assistance with assignments, and or need to to prepare for tests and quizzes.
Homework Club is a structured environment where students will receive small group attention and motivation in a warm and encouraging atmosphere.
The goal of Homework Club is to help students become resourceful and proactive learners. Students will become empowered to take charge of their academics and learn the art of successful study habits.
Homework Club will be mentored by Deanna O'Keefe
Club participation is limited to 10 students per day.
When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Where: 8C Mrs. O’Keefe’s Homeroom
Cost: $12 per session
Pick up: 4:15 pm SHARP Junior High Breezeway door
New STEM club registration
NEW after school STEM CLUB registration is NOW OPEN for the January / February 6-week session. Available for 1st - 6th grade.
Any questions - contact Kerry Wahl 502.693.2530 or kerry@centralcreativity.com
--- From the parish ---
Children's Treble choir
Children's Choir for 3rd and 4th graders will begin soon!
Rehearsals will be on Thursdays after school in the music room beginning November 4th. This choir will sing with the Advanced Children's Choir (school choir) about once a month for weekend Mass in addition to singing for the 5 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve.
Please fill out an information form and send to Laura Sullivan, Director of Music and Worship lsullivan@stalbert.org
50-50 Raffle!
You have FOUR chances to win BIG with our upcoming Feast Day Raffle! Our next Early Bird drawing, worth $500, will be Friday, November 5th. Eligible tickets must be purchased online by Weds. 11/3 or in-person by Thurs. 11/4.
Our final drawing is November 14th. OUR GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $35,000! With 2nd prize at $10k! And 3rd prize at $4k! Help us reach our goal of 1,000 tickets sold to help offset funds lost from our cancelled 2021 Summer Picnic. Purchase online at stalbert.square.site or via the Parish Office. Tickets to be sold after weekend Masses. $100 per ticket.
Thanksgiving Basket Collection
Our Parish Social Concerns Committee, along with our school, will participate in our annual Thanksgiving Basket Collection.
Each grade has been assigned a needed food item. Donations will be assembled to create complete Thanksgiving Meal Baskets for Eastern Area Community Ministries to distribute to families in need. We encourage families to go shopping together, and allow the students to pick out their donations so they feel a part of this wonderful giving opportunity.
Donations will be accepted 10/25-11/5. Thank you!
the monday memo and you
The Monday Memo is produced by Jack O'Keefe, the Technology Director. If you have any comments, concerns, scathing criticisms, or a neat gif please let me know: jokeefe@stalbert.org
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Have a good week!
